Welcome to the Underwater Photography Guide. This online book and magazine is a complete underwater photography tutorial full of u/w photography tips and techniques. Our idea is simple - learn, shoot, explore. We hope you enjoy and come back often - Scott Gietler, Owner of UWPG and Bluewater Photo & Travel.

Note from the Competition Chair:

I want to thank everyone for entering the competition, and I want to congratulate all the winners. There were so many excellent images, that the judges had a very difficult time determining the winners.

I hope you all decide to enter the competition again next year! And if you are in LA stop in my new underwater camera store to say hi.

Contest Sponsors

We are proud to have Arenui, Febrina/Walindi, and Solmar V

as premiere sponsors

You can dive Indonesia in a whole new style with a new luxury liveaboard, the Arenui. To live up to our motto of being "The Boutique Liveaboard", attention has been given to every aspect of the Arenui to ensure that it fully embodies our philosophy of providing a unique dive experience, giving you the best there is in terms of diving and leisure activities, without sacrificing any of the comforts and luxury you would expect to get from a top-notch hotel on land. Visit Komodo, Raja Ampat or the Banda Sea. The Arenui is sponsoring a 12-day trip on their boutique liveaboard. Wow!

Walindi resort, in Kimbe Bay Papua New Guinea, has been voted to have the "best diving from a resort anywhere in the world" by reader surveys. The liveaboard FeBrina, one of the most famous liveaboards in the world, cruises from her home port, Walindi, visiting areas further afield such as Witu Islands, Fathers Reefs - some of the best diving on the planet. Unusual critters, 900 species of fish, sharks, barracuda, jacks and more await you. Walindi is sponsoring 14 nights in Papua New Guinea - 10 nights on the Febrina, 4 nights at Walindi + the prize includes 4 nights at Loloata. 18 nights total!

The 112-foot luxury live-aboard Solmar V, has been offering scuba adventures to the Socorro Islands, Sea of Cortez and Guadalupe Island for over 18 years. Known for their professional service and unmatched experience, they boast the best big animal diving on earth! Giant mantas, numerous shark species, dolphins and even whales are common. With a long tradition of commitment to the environment, we are proud to announce Solmar V as one of our contest sponsors. The Solmar V is sponsoring a 9-day voyage to the Socorro Islands as a prize, where "Wilderness is the Ultimate luxury."

SMY Ondina, a romantic and modern wooden schooner, runs fantastic Indonesia liveaboard adventure safaris to dive Komodo, Fak Fak, Flores, Sulawesi and the Raja Ampat area - some of the most amazing waters in the world. Eight air-conditioned double cabins with en suite bathroom guarantee a level of comfort you’ll appreciate. The SMY Ondina is sponsoring an 11 day trip on their liveaboard + 50% off your companion

Manthiri is custom-designed for the optimal dive experience and comfort. No other liveaboard in the Maldives furnishes the topflight dive experience of Manthiri. The guests will tell you: perhaps nowhere else is sea life as richly abundant and dazzling as it is in Maldives. The Manthiri is sponsoring a 9-day trip on their liveaboard.

Kararu liveaboard scuba diving adventures visits a range of remote and exciting locations in the Indonesian archipelago. From the famous islands of Komodo to the historically important Banda Sea and as far as Raja Ampat and Fak Fak , our cruises offer something for every scuba diver. Kararu dive voyages is sponsoring an 11 day trip on their liveaboards.

Some consider Lissenung Island Resort the ultimate paradise. Imagine a small tropical island covered in palm trees, surrounded by a white sandy beach, a beautiful house reef and some of the best diving in the world. Lissenung Island is located just off Kavieng, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea. Nestled amongst natural surrounds, traditionally built bungalows accommodate a max. of 14 guests. Forget your high heels, tropical attire is our dress code.

At Lissenung Island Resort, personal service is guaranteed and a visit here is truly exclusive!Lissenung is sponsoring an 10 night stay at their resort + diving.

Bilikiki offers liveaboard dive trips in the Solomon islands, from ships consistently rated among the best live-aboards in the world, with some of the best diving in the world. You'll have a good opportunity to see sharks, mantas, dolphins, and turtles, barracuda, and more varieties of coral than almost anywhere. Bilikiki is sponsoring an 7 night trip on one of their liveaboards.

Sea Safari cruises takes you on a wooden schooner to some of the best dive sites in Indonesia, that only a liveboard can visit. Your home-away-from-home is a spacious sailing vessel and you have a comfortable cabin with your own en-suite bathroom. An attentive but discrete crew takes care of everything. Sea Safari is sponsoring a trip on a liveaboard to Raja Ampat or Komodo

The mission of Aggressor Fleet is to provide scuba divers with the highest quality, most innovative and safest live-aboard experience possible. They offer unparalleled customer service and the most comfortable dive yachts, accessing the best diving locations around the world. Aggressor Fleet has 11 yachts operating itineraries in 13 destinations. The Utila Agressor is sponsoring a liveaboard trip in Utila, Honduras.

A Dancer Fleet® LiveAboard diving vacation features luxury and topnotch amenities, plus attention to every detail - which will make you feel as pampered as an invited guest on a private yacht.. Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet is sponsoring a liveaboard trip to Belize.

Kosrae Island is truly a hidden treasure, tucked away in the Federated States of Micronesia on top of some of the most lush and healthy coral reefs in the world. Kosrae Nautilus Resort caters to divers who are looking for remote, uncrowded, pristine reefs. They offer complete dive, accommodations and meals packages. Kosrae Nautilus resort is sponsoring a week-long dive vacation for 2.

Siladen resort and spa is an upmarket resort, located in the heart of Bunaken marine reserve in Sulawesi in an exclusive location, with unbelieveably great diving just minutes away. They offer an elegant and relaxing atmosphere. Siladen resort is sponsoring a week-long dive vacation.

Atlantis dive resorts offer one of the best outstanding value for a first class dive vacation in the world today. They are located in Dumaguette and Puerto Galera, Philppines. Atlantis resorts is sponsoring a 7-night dive vacation at either resort.

Since 1969 Mike Ball has been setting standards in the Australian dive industry with exceptional liveaboard expeditions to the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Mike Ball is sponsoring a 3-night fly/dive expedition to Cod Hole.

Underwater journal is a free online magazine devoted to scuba diving, and much more. UWJ celebrates the discovery and enjoyment of all things aquatic - from the leading edge of ocean exploration and research to the simple pleasures of immersing oneself weightlessly in the liquid environment that covers three-fourths of our world. Even those who are not yet divers find much to enjoy.

Together with Zeagle Systems and Divers Direct, UWJ is sponsoring an equipment + cash package worth over $1,900.

Manta Ray Bay resort is the premiere dedicated dive resort on the island of Yap in Micronesia, designed by divers and built for divers. All of the dive facilities are conveniently located within steps of the Hotel. We also offer world class fishing, wildlife and nature kayaking, and a full range of island tours specifically designed to showcase Yap’s unique indigenous culture.

Black Sand Dive Retreat is a small 6-bungalow quality dive resort located on a sheltered bay in a natural setting on Lembeh Strait , Indonesia ’s Exotic Critter Capital. This resort is the realization of a long-term dream of Bruce and Fung Moore, who have extensive experience in North Sulawesi over the past decade.

Villa Markisa is an exclusive resort located on the north east coast of Bali. Nestled at the foot of Bali’s most famous volcano “Gunung Agung”, the private bungalows offer individual service and great attention to detail. Bali's famous Liberty Wreck is minutes away, and the house reef has hundreds of nudibranch species.

Bella Safaris offers a luxury liveaboard experience in the Red Sea. They offer large, fully equipped boat built for divers, and a variety of fantastic Red Sea itineraries.

Sipadan Kapalai dive resort is an oasis on stilts in paradise. You have mind-boggling diving with big fish nearby at Sipadan island, a great house reef just steps from your door and wonderful critters at Mabul.

Club Ocellaris is a dive resort, underwater photography center, and secret of many famous photographers. Situated in Anilao, Philippines, it is near some of the best macro and nudibranch diving in the world.

Zeagle Systems is a family owned business dedicated to making innovative equipment for recreational, commercial, public safety, and military divers. Never a "me too" company, Zeagle has led the diving industry in a number of equipment issues over the years.

Pinnacle is a division of Zeagle that creates excellent quality wetsuits.

Buddy Dive Resort in Bonaire is a resort where you can DIVE DIVE DIVE, take part in a multitude of activities including Bonaire's excellent drive and dive shore diving, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Bonaire's calm clear waters and multitude of fish are perfect for underwater photography.

Beqa Lagoon Resort is a magical resort in Fiji featuring beautiful grounds and private deluxe villas. Near the resort are beautiful fish and corals, and an incredible shark dive. This resort is true luxury, and was voted "Best dive resort in the world" by Scuba Diving magazine.

Loloata Island Resort, just minutes from the Port Moresby airport in Papua New Guinea, means great diving, and a chance to observe some of the world's greatest coral reefs and meet a myriad of marine animals in their natural habitat. Underwater photo enthusiasts find a dazzling array of great fish, corals and invertebrate subjects only minutes away from the dock aboard a new deluxe dive boat. Loloata is sponsoring a 4-night stay in conjunction with the premiere prize from Walindi/Febrina.

Olympus has been an innovative leader in cameras and underwater housings for beginners and pros alike. Olympus is proud to offer a new compact camera and underwater housing as a prize.

Ultralight is the leading maker of arms, trays and clamps for the underwater photography community - making only high quality products built to last.

Two Fish Divers is located in an unbelievable great location on Bunaken Island, Sulawesi - close to excellent diving. They also have a resort in nearby Lembeh, so an underwater photographer can split their time between the two resorts. Experience beautiful corals, lots of fish, amazing small critters, and some larger exciting creatures including reef sharks, turtles and barracudas.

Tulamben Wreck Divers is located in Tulamben, Bali at a fantastic location near the liberty wreck. They offer nitrox, a huge plus, and the owner Tony has a reputation for great service, a wide range of accomodation options and affordable diving.

ReefNet has been developing unique marine technologies for more than 15 years. Their products combine smart engineering with elegant design, solving problems with style. Prizes from Reefnet include their famous Subsee diopter and adapter for supermacro photography.

Scuba Club Cozumel is the island's first dedicated dive resort built by divers, for divers. Scuba Club Cozumel is located right on the waterfront just a mile south of town. Scuba-Cozumel is the in-house dive op with a fleet of seven dive boats that board from a private pier just footsteps from your comfortable room. All meals are scheduled around the diving. SCC offers NITROX and free unlimited shore diving.

Aquamarine Diving Bali is well known for specializing in custom Bali dive safaris for divers and underwater photographers. They offer fast boats, great accommodation options and experienced guides that know where all the best photo subjects are.

Marine Camera is a California based underwater camera store known for the excellent technical expertise of photographer Lee Peterson, and great service for local and international customers alike.

Sea Saba is your paradise in the Caribbean. It offers unspoiled diving with no cruise ships or shopping malls. They pride themselves on the highest levels of service.

Diving Unlimited is known worldwide for making drysuits and undergarments of the highest quality - proudly made in San Diego, California.